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Effect of BMY 21502 on acquisition of shape discrimination and memory retention in monkey
L J Fitten1, K M Perryman, J A Hanna
1UCLA San Fernando Valley Program in Psychiatry and Medicine.
Abstract:
BMY 21502 is a novel pyrrolidinone nootropic with demonstrated ability to reverse electroconvulsively induced amnesia in rodents. We administered BMY 21502 intramuscularly to four monkeys (Macaca radiata) during testing using two separate paradigms. The first test involved the acquisition of a visual shape discrimination task where each monkey learned to select the correct lighted panel. In the second task, memory retention was tested by having the monkeys select and press the correct lighted panel using a delayed matching-to-sample procedure. A dose-response relationship was established for the acquisition of shape discrimination for each monkey. Two performance-enhancing doses in the visual discrimination task were then employed to test for effects on memory retention at different delay intervals in the delayed-matching-to-sample task. Results indicate that BMY 21502, when administered over a wide dose range, enhanced acquisition of shape discrimination in three of four monkeys when combined drug scores were compared to vehicle-only scores (p less than 0.02). However, BMY 21502 produced no significant improvement in memory retention at any of seven different delay intervals when low-dose and high-dose scores for the three responding monkeys were compared to vehicle-only scores.
Insights
BMY 21502, a novel nootropic, improved visual discrimination learning in monkeys but did not enhance memory retention. This cognitive enhancer shows potential for learning but not recall across different delays.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Nootropics are compounds that may enhance cognitive function.
- Pyrrolidinone derivatives, like BMY 21502, are investigated for their nootropic potential.
- Previous studies showed BMY 21502 reversed amnesia in rodents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of BMY 21502 on cognitive performance in non-human primates.
- To assess BMY 21502's impact on learning (visual discrimination) and memory retention (delayed matching-to-sample).
Main Methods:
- Four rhesus monkeys (Macaca radiata) received intramuscular BMY 21502.
- Cognitive function was assessed using visual shape discrimination and delayed matching-to-sample tasks.
- Dose-response relationships were established for acquisition and retention phases.
Main Results:
- BMY 21502 significantly enhanced visual shape discrimination acquisition in 3 of 4 monkeys (p < 0.02).
- No significant improvement in memory retention was observed across seven delay intervals.
- Performance enhancement varied across individuals and tasks.
Conclusions:
- BMY 21502 demonstrates potential as a cognitive enhancer for learning processes.
- The compound did not show efficacy in improving memory retention in this primate model.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms and limitations of BMY 21502's cognitive effects.